ISSHP was founded in 1978. The aim of the Society’s founding members was to foster and support research into hypertensive disorders of pregnancy to improve outcomes for mothers and their babies. Nearly four decades later, maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity rates associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy remain unacceptably high in many parts of the world. ISSHP’s focus remains the same. We exist to support, disseminate and translate research excellence for the benefit of mothers, infants and their healthcare providers throughout the world. As we approach our 40th anniversary, two of our most esteemed founding members, John M Davison MD and Marshall D Lindheimer MD have taken on the task of documenting the history of our society from its early beginnings to present day. For a preview of this fascinating story, which will be available in limited number of hard copies in time for the XX World Congress in Brazil in 2016, can be found here.